The success of our DWI practice stems from the significant level of attention we offer to our DWI clients. We will stand up for you and protect your rights. Our team will get to know you in an effort to fully understand your situation. We believe this investment yields a much better result for our clients in the courtroom.
We handle:
- DWI Charges Including Misdemeanor, Gross Misdemeanor & Felony DWI Defense;
- Fourth Degree, Third Degree, Second & First Degree Drunk Driving Cases;
- Driver’s License Revocation, Limited Driver’s Licenses & B-Card Licensure Issues;
- Boating While Intoxicated & DWI Involving a Snowmobile, ATV, Motorcycle, Bus or Truck;
- Underage Consumption & Possession, Juvenile DWI, Underage Drinking & Driving;
- Forfeiture of Motor Vehicles, “Whiskey” Plates & License Plate Impoundment; and
- Drunk Driving Trials, Motions, Appeals & Probation Violation Hearings
DWI Charges
First Degree DWI
In the state of Minnesota, a first degree DWI charge is a felony. If convicted, you will face serious jail time and fines, along with the long-term suspension of your driving privileges. In order to be charged with a first degree DWI, you must have prior convictions.
Second Degree DWI
If you are caught driving while intoxicated, you will face serious charges that can have long term impact on your life. The exact charges you face will depend on the circumstances surrounding your case. You can be charged with a second degree DWI if there are two or more aggravating factors present at the time of the offense.
Third Degree DWI
In the state of Minnesota, a typical DWI charge is issued when an individual’s blood alcohol content is at .08 or above. However, Minnesota operates on a type of “sliding scale” when it comes to DWI charges. This means that certain aggravating factors can make the charges even more serious.
Fourth Degree DWI
You can be charged with a DWI if you are caught driving with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher. If it is your first impaired driving offense and there are no aggravating factors, you will typically face fourth degree DWI charges. A fourth degree DWI is classified as a misdemeanor in Minnesota, but the consequences are still very serious.
Underage DWI
Minnesota law does not treat all drivers equally when it comes to impaired driving. A typical DWI in Minnesota involves an individual whose blood alcohol content is .08 or above. However, Minnesota has a zero-tolerance policy for drivers under the legal drinking age of 21. That means you can be charged with an underage DWI if there is even a trace of alcohol detected in your system.
Boating While Intoxicated
The laws related to boating while intoxicated are very similar to those dealing with driving while intoxicated. These laws are designed to keep everyone on the water safe, not to take away anyone’s fun. In Minnesota, you cannot legally operate a boat or any personal watercraft if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is over .08%.
Snowmobiling While Intoxicated
For many Minnesotans, winter is the time to get out the snowmobile. However, many people don’t realize that it is illegal to mix snowmobiling and alcohol. Snowmobiling while intoxicated is a serious crime that can lead to major consequences.
ATV While Intoxicated
Minnesota DWI law treats all motorized vehicles in a similar fashion. Whether you are driving a car or an ATV, you can face very serious penalties if you have alcohol in your system. Many people are unaware of the fact that impaired driving laws apply to ATVs.
Alcohol Test Refusal
Minnesota operates under the “implied consent” law, which means there are certain situation where you have to submit to an alcohol test. When the test is required by law, it is a crime to refuse to take it, and the punishment can be strict. An alcohol test can be conducted either by blood, urine, or breath. If there is reasonable suspicion that you have been drinking and driving, then the implied consent rule is in effect.
Driving Under the Influence
In the state of Minnesota, you don’t have to be legally “intoxicated” to face criminal driving charges. The state sets the legal limit at .08 blood alcohol content, and exceeding this level will typically result in a DWI charge. However, if your blood alcohol level is below .08, you might still face serious penalties.
Felony DWI
Minnesota law is strict when it comes to drunk driving. The DWI laws outline very specific examples of an offense, including several aggravating factors that can make charges more serious. However, when it comes to felony DWI charges, the only thing that really matters is your past.
Gross Misdemeanor DWI
There are four degrees of DWI in Minnesota, and the exact charges you will face depend on whether or not any aggravating factors are present at the time of the offense. You will be charged with a gross misdemeanor if you violate one or more of Minnesota’s aggravating factors.
Misdemeanor DWI
In the state of Minnesota, a first DWI offense is typically classified as a misdemeanor. According to state law, you can be charged with a DWI if your blood alcohol level is .08, or above, while you are behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. Additionally, if you are under the legal drinking age of 21, you can be charged with a DWI if there is any alcohol in your system.
key issues
Aggravating Factors
Driving while intoxicated is a serious crime that can result in major consequences. Just how serious a DWI charge is will depend on any aggravating factors present at the time of the violation.
Field Sobriety Testing
In the state of Minnesota, fleeing police is a crime and can even lead to felony charges. Whether a police officer is trying to pull you over, or just wants to speak with you, running away can result in very strict penalties. In some cases, fleeing police can lead to long jail time and steep fines.
Blood Alcohol Testing
There are many different types of gun charges in Minnesota, and they can range from misdemeanors to felonies. No injury needs to occur for a person to be charged with a gun-related offense. Simply having the wrong weapon out at the wrong time can lead to very serious charges.
Stop and Arrest
Keeping someone from a phone when they need to call for help, or taking away a phone and ending a 911 call prematurely, can lead to these charges against you. You can be charged even if the person ends up completing the call and law enforcement responds to the request for help.
Court Process
Anytime you interfere with any sort of police, legal, or government proceeding, you can be charged with obstruction of justice. In the state of Minnesota, obstruction of justice takes on many different forms.
CIVIL SANCTIONS
Drivers License Suspension
Disorderly conduct is often viewed as a “catch-all” crime. In other words, law enforcement can arrest you, or file disorderly conduct charges, in any circumstance where your behavior is seen as a potential disturbance. Even though you might not think your behavior is bothersome, you can still be arrested and charged with the crime.
License Plate Impoundment
In the state of Minnesota, fleeing police is a crime and can even lead to felony charges. Whether a police officer is trying to pull you over, or just wants to speak with you, running away can result in very strict penalties. In some cases, fleeing police can lead to long jail time and steep fines.
Interlock Ignition System
There are many different types of gun charges in Minnesota, and they can range from misdemeanors to felonies. No injury needs to occur for a person to be charged with a gun-related offense. Simply having the wrong weapon out at the wrong time can lead to very serious charges.
Whiskey Plates
Keeping someone from a phone when they need to call for help, or taking away a phone and ending a 911 call prematurely, can lead to these charges against you. You can be charged even if the person ends up completing the call and law enforcement responds to the request for help.
Vehicle Forfeiture
Anytime you interfere with any sort of police, legal, or government proceeding, you can be charged with obstruction of justice. In the state of Minnesota, obstruction of justice takes on many different forms.
B-Cards
Terroristic threats are not taken lightly in this day and age. We often hear about the seriousness of saying “bomb” on an airplane, or yelling “fire” in a movie theater. While these things may seem harmless, they call to mind much greater problems occurring in the world around us. Any comment that is deemed threatening can be treated as a terroristic threat.